Cable-tramway.



No. 781,815. PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905. W. DUSEDAU.

CABLE TRAMWAY.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1a, 1904.

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PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905.

W. DUSEDAU.

CABLE TRAMWAY.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 18. 1904.

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111111I II I I I I IIILI PATENTED FEB. '7, 1905.

W. DUSEDAU.

CABLE TRAMWAY.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 18. 1904.

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UNITED STATES Patented February 7, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE- CABLE-TRAMWAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 781,815, dated Febraary 7, 1905.

Application filed May 18,1904. Serial No. 208,584.

To whom. it may concern.

Be it known that 1, \VILLIAM DUSEDAU, a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cable-Tramways, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention pertains to improvements in cable-tramways,the construction and advai'itages of which will be hereinafter more fully set forth, reference being had to-the annexed drawings, wherein Figure l is a vertical sectional view of my improved apparatus, a portion only of the tower being shown; Fig. 2, a side elevation thereof; Fig. 3, an enlarged view, partly in section, of the hanger and grip mechanism; Fig. l, a horizontal sectional view on the line 4: t of Fig. 3, the parts being shown on an enlarged scale; Fig. 5. a sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. Fig. 6, a plan view of the means employed to close the gripping mechanism; Fig. 7, a perspective view of the grip-locking lever; Fig. 8, a vertical sectional view of the combined sheave and saddle-supporting bracket and guard; Fig. 9, a face view thereof, the sheave and traction-cable being broken away; Fig. 10, a side elevation showing the plates for releasing the grip-locking mechanism and also the grip; Fig. 11, a top plan view thereof, and Fig. 12 a detail sectional view on the line 12 12 of Fig. 1.

This invention is an improvement upon the constructions shown in Letters Patent of the United States granted to me and numbered as follows: No. 626,783, dated June 13, 1899; No. 6455M, dated March 13, 1900, and No. 729,558, dated June 2, 1903, to which reference is hereby made.

The objects of the present invention are, first, to provide a positive locking device or mechanism for the gripping-levers; second, to provide means for releasing said mechanism previous to or in advance of the automatic release of the gripping-levers; third, to provide a superior form of bracket for carrying the traction-rope sheaveand the supportingsaddle for the carrying-cable; fourth, to provide guards for the traction-rope sheave, whereby the traction-rope will be prevented from engaging the lower face of the sheave and also from passing down between the sheave and the adjacent face of the bracket, and, fifth, to provide an improved form of support for the bucket.

The advantages which arise from the construction above outlined, as well as other minor details, will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

Referring to Fig. l, A denotes the horizontal member of one of the columns or towers, and one of the lateral supportirig-braces. Secured upon the end of member A is a bracket C, having a socket l), which (its over the end of member A. A bolt E secures the bracket to the timber A. while a second bolt or tap-screw F secures the saddle-supporting block (i in place. The saddle H, which supports the carrying-cable l, is of substantially the same form as that shown in my former patent, No. 626,783.

J denotes the sheave which normally supports the traction-rope K, the axle of said sheave being secured to the bracket (1. A guard or rib L, Figs. 1, 8, and 9, extends outwardly from the face of the bracket to a point above or in line with the upper edge of the sheave, whereby the traction cable or rope is prevented from passing in between the sheave and the bracket. This guard, as best seen in Fig. 9 conforms to the curvature of the sheave. The second guard M is provided beneath the sheave, the guard in the construction shown comprising a plate or casting bolted at its upper extremity to the lower end of bracket- C and likewise bolted at its mid-length to the end of thelateral brace or guard timber B. By preference the lowermost edge or face of the guard is given substantially the same pitch or inclination as the under face of the brace B, the guard extending the full width of the sheave. This construction prevents the traction-rope from engaging the lower face of the sheave or coming into contact with the lower portion thereof should the rope not return to proper position after having been raised from the sheave by the passage of a bucket. There will of course be more or less slack in the rope, and the guards, particularly the lower one, maintain the cable in its correct position and prevent it from becoming jammed or cramped between the sheave and supporting-bracket.

The carriage N and hanger O are of the same general form as those shown in my Patents Nos. 645,314 and 729,558. The rotat'able shell P, which forms the support for the gripping-jaws Q, R and their actuating-toggle, is the same as that described in my former patents, and the jaws are also substantially the same.

S indicates the toggle-actuating lever, fulcrumed at T on the hanger O, the lower end of the lever bearing (when the jaws are closed) against the hanger, as shown in Fig. 8. The lever is provided at its lower end with a laterally-extending finger or lug U, which when the jaws are closed is seated in a socket or recess V, formed in a locking dog or lever W. Said lever is pivoted at its inner end upon a bolt X and is held in its normal or locking position by a boss Y, which bears against the rotatable shell P, and a second boss, Z, which rests upon the hanger or grip-case O. The locking-dog or lever is provided with a downwardly-projecting end (6 and also with an inclined face I).

In Fig. 3 the parts are shown with the jaws gripping the traction-cable, the actuatinglever S having been moved by the inclined plate 0, so as to straighten the toggle. The lower end of lever S will then bear against the hanger O and be locked in that position by the dog or lever W, lug U passing along theinclined face 5 and raising the, dog, (if the same should be in its down position,) so that the lug may pass into line with the socket or recess V, after which the dog will be depressed by hand or will gravitate to position.

This construction is advantageous over that shown in my Patent No. 729,558, inasmuch as a positive lock is provided for the gripping mechanism, and a comparatively accurate adjustment of the toggle connections is not so essential as in the former case.

The upper end of actuating-lever S will by preference be provided with a hardened bearing-face (Z, Fig. 3, which in the form illustrated is a removable plug.

In order to elevate the dog W, and thereby unlock the actuating-lever previous to its being moved inwardly at its upper end to break the toggle and release the gripping-jaws, I employ a deflecting or lifting plate 6, Figs. 1, 10, and 11. Said plate is placed in an oblique position, so as to properly lift the free. end of the dog and insure its release from the lug or finger U. The plate is supported upon suitable hangers f, extending downwardly from a beam or timber g: A third plate It is also supported from said beam, being placed at such an angle to the path of travel of the gripping mechanism as to bear against the outer face of the upper end of the actuating-lever S and to move the same inward, thereby breaking the toggle and releasing the traction-rope. The plate 6 should of course be placed in advance'of the plate l1, so that the locking-dog will be raised previous to the actuation of lever S. Plate 0 must, however, overlap plate it to a slight extent in order that the dog may be held elevated until the lug U has been moved clear of the socket or recess V. In Fig. 1 the parts are shown as released, the corresponding position being indicated in-dotted lines in Fig. 1.0.

The bucket a is suspended from the gripcasing by two straps or hangers connected to the casing by bolt X and a second bolt X, which passes through the upper portion of the casing. Bolted to the lower ends of the straps or hangers is a block or casting it, to which is connected a supporting-bail l. Said bail is provided with eyes or stirrups m, connected to its ends to receive the trunnions a of the bucket, the trunnions being securely fastened to the bucket by radiating foot-pieces or arms 0, washers and cotter-pins being employed to prevent withdrawal of the trunnions from the stirrups. The bucket is kept in its upright position by a latch q, as is usual. In Patent No. 645,31 the hanger is composed of two pieces, one of which depends from each side of the grip-casing to the bucket. This form of hanger was, however, found to be difficnlt of construction and proved weak in the direction of the rope or cable. These difliculties are now overcome by the use of the form herein described. The straps], with the block 7t, form a strong and rigid frame, for the reason that they are maintained in an upright position except at such times as they are bent to a slight extent to throw the bucket inwardly beneath the carrying-rope and other parts of the apparatus. In other words, they are not separated from each other, as in my former construction, and are much shorter than the form heretofore employed, and the bail Z is formed of a single piece, with its widest side in the plane of the greatest stress or force and its edge or small side at right angles thereto.

To prevent the buckets from striking against the towers and the straps 1' from coming in contact with the sheave J and bracket C,guards 22, Figs. 1 and 12, are employed. These guards are secured to the towers in line with the body of the bucket and are preferably beveled or inclined at one or both ends to prevent the bucket from striking the same with too great force. By the employment of these guards in conjunction with guards L and M the danger of the parts interfering with each other is reduced to a minimum, and the apparatus may be used even during very high winds.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In combination with a tower; a supporting-bracket having a socket formed therein to embrace the horizonta-lly-disposed member of the tower; at sheave-wheel supported by said bracket; and a saddle-su pporting block secured upon the bracket.

2. In combination, a bracket; a sheave su pported thereby; and a guard extending out from the bracket in line with the sheave.

2). In combination with a bracket; a sheave su p ported thereby; and a guard extending out from the face of the bracket in line with the upper portion of the sheave.

I. In combination with a bracket; a sheave supported thereby; and a guard extendingout from the face of the bracket in line with the upper portion of the sheave, said guard being curved to conform to the periphery of the sheave, substantially as described.

5. In combination witha bracket; a sheave supported thereby; a guard extending out from the bracket in line with the upper portion of the sheave; and a second guard located beneath the sheave.

6. In combination with a bracket; asheave supported thereby; and a guard located beneath the sheave, said guard extending across the entire width of the sheave, substantially as described.

7. In combination with a bracket; a sheave; a guard extending beneath said sheave, the lower face of the guard being inclined, substantially as described.

8. In combination with a tower; a bracket mounted thereon; a sheave carried by the bracket; a guard connected to the bracket and extending beneath the lower face of the sheave; and a timber extending from the tower and connected to the guard, forming in effect a continuation thereof.

9. In combination with a tower; a bracket mounted thereon; a sheave carried by the bracket: a guard extending from the bracket in line with the upper portion of the sheave; a second guard secured to the lower end of the bracket and projecting below the lower portion of the sheave, theunderfaee of theguard being inclined upwardly; and a guard-timber extending from the tower and connected to said second guard, substantially as described.

11). In combination with a tower; a supporting-cable; a sheave; a traction-rope normally resting upon the sheave; bucket-supporting mechanism sustained by the supporting-cable; connections intermediate the traction-rope and said supporting mechanism; and a guard carried by the tower for properly positioning the bucket as it passes the tower, substantially as described.

11. In combination with a tower; a supporting-cable carried thereby; asheave supported bythe tower; a traction-rope normally resting upon said sheave; bucket-supporting mechanism sustained by the supporting-cable;eonnections intermediate the traction-rope and supporting mechanism; aguard carried by the tower in line with the bucket; and guards for preventing the traction-rope from becoming misplaced or entangled with the tower or sheave.

12. In combination with a hanger; a supporting-cable therefor; a traction-rope; gripping mechanism carried by said hanger; and means to lock said gripping mechanism against accidental release.

13. .In combination with a hanger; a supporting-cable therefor; a traction-rope; gripping mechanism carried by said hanger; means to actuate said mechanism; and automatic means to lock said meehanismwhen in its closed or clamping position.

1st. In combination with a hanger; a supporting-cable therefor; a traction-rope; gripping mechanism carried by the hanger; an actuating-lever for the gripping mechanism; and means to lock said lever against movement when the gripping mechanism is closed.

15. In combination with a hanger; gripping mechanism carried thereby; an actuating-lever for said mechanism fulcrmned upon the hanger; and a locking-dog fulcrumed on the hanger for engaging the lower end of the lever.

16. In combination with a hanger; gripping mechanism rotatably mounted therein; an actuating-lever for said mechanism fulcrumed upon the hanger; and a locking device for the lever likewise carried by the hanger, whereby the gripping mechanism may be shifted without releasing the lever.

17. In combination with a hanger; gripping mechanism carried thereby; an actuating-lever for said mechanism; and a locking-dog for the lever, said dog being provided with a recess or socket to engage a lug or linger extending laterally from the lower portion of the lever, and being likewise formed with an inclined or beveled face 6, substantially as described.

18. In combination with a hanger; gripping mechanism carried thereby; an actuating-lever for said gripping mechanism fulcrumed on the hanger, the lower end of the lever abutting against the hanger when the gripping mechanism is closed, and being formed with a lug or finger U; and a locking-dog fulcrumed on the hanger, said dog being formed with stops Y, Z, and likewise provided with a recess V and an inclined face in line with the lug U.

19. In combination with a hanger; a supporting-cable therefor; a traction-rope; gripping mechanism carried by said hanger; an actuating-lever for said mechanism; a locking device for said lever; and means for successively releasing the locking device and moving the lever to release the gripping mechanism.

20. In combination with a hanger; gripping mechanism carried thereby; an actuating-lever for said mechanism fulcrumed on the hanger; a locking device for the lever; means to automatically rock the lever to cause the gripping mechanism to close; and means for successively releasing the locking device and ICC IIO

& I 781,815

rocking the lever in a reverse direction to release the gripping mechanism.

21. In combination with a hanger; gripping mechanism carried thereby; an actuating-lever fulcrumed upon the hanger; a lockingdog for the lever; an inclined plate located in the path of travel of the dog; and a second plate located in the path of travel of the lever.

22. In combination with a grip-case or hanger; a pair of straps bolted thereto and extending downwardly therefrom in substantial parallelism; a block or casting secured between the ends of said straps; a bail bolted to the block or casting; and a bucket carried by said bail.

23. In combination with a grip-case or 

